ROBERT WILSON BURKS, 78 years of age of the Lester’s Fork Section of Hurley, VA, proceeded to his heavenly home Friday, August 14, 2009 at the Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, VA, following an extended illness. Born in McDowell County, WV, he was the son of the late Willie and Olivia Blankenship Burks. He moved to Hurley where he worked on the railroad and in the coal mines. He lost his hand at the age of 18 and continued to work hard. He was ordained as an Old Regular Baptist minister on February 1, 1979. He was a resident of Buchanan County most of his life and was a member of the Hurley Regular Baptist Church. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and was a retired Coal Miner.

Mr. Burks is survived by his wife, Debra Webb Burks, Lester’s Fork, near Hurley, VA, 1-Daughter:    Barbara Jean Stacy, Hurley, VA, 3-Sons: Robert Glenn Burks, Hurley, VA, Willie Ray Burks, Hurley, VA, Larry Urias Burks, Hurley, VA, 1-Step-Daughter: Elizabeth Ann Jones, Sevierville, TN, 2-Sisters: Madeline and husband Lee Hess, Abingdon, VA, June Dean and husband Larry Marler, Titusville, FL, 1-Brother: Bill and wife Pat Burks, Jr., Hurley, VA, 1-Grand Daughter: Melissa Ryan and husband Billy Whitt, 4-Great-Grandchildren: Alyssa, Whitney, Celina, and Brailyn Whitt all of Hurley, VA, along with a host of relatives and friends to mourn his passing.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Madge Wolford Burks, a brother Ray Burks, and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services for ROBERT WILSON BURKS will be conducted Tuesday, August 18, 2009, at 11:00 A.M. at the Grundy Funeral Chapel with Ministers Jack Ward and Dennis Burks officiating with burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, VA.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M. with services Sunday and Monday evenings at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be: Family and Friends.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Staff of Geriatric Ward and Infirmary Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute, Dr. Patrick, and David Mumpower.

Online Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.